Soft foldable case

ABSTRACT

A soft foldable case for wrapping dense loop material around an object to be protected, such as a pair of eyeglasses. The case material has front and rear sides and length and width dimensions greater than at least that portion of the object to be protected. The front side of the case material is formed with a dense arrangement of loop material capable of interlocking with opposing hook material, the loop material having length and width dimensions greater than the object, the sheet of material being capable of folding around the object. Strips of hook material adjacent ends of the front surface of the case material, secure the folded case.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a case for wrapping around and holding an object, such as a pair of eyeglasses, and protects the object, especially its lenses or windows, from abrasion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for a device to securely hold and protect an object from abrasion. In a specific embodiment, there is a need for eyeglass cases that afford maximum protection in view of the high cost of prescription lenses, and which can hold, transport and protect many different types and sizes that do not fit in most ordinary cases. In addition, there is a need to protect handheld devices, such as cell phones and smart phones, cameras, calculators, Geiger counters, and the like. Most eyeglass cases contain flat surfaces in contact with eyeglass lenses. When abrasive material such as sand, grit, dirt or the like gets between the lenses and the flat surface, any movement can cause it to grind the lenses, causing scratches and damaging the lenses. Most eyeglass cases enclose the entire eyeglass structure, lenses and earpieces (also called temple pieces) together, allowing the tips of some eyewear ear pieces to remain in contact with the inner surface of the eyeglass lenses. Any motion allows the tips of the earpieces to rub against the lenses, creating a mark that can damage the coating of the lens and the lenses themselves. Other cases require complex manufacturing procedures or expensive components. Stechler U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,048 and Scribner U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/190840 describe cases formed by stitching respectively from cushioning material and a cloth sheet but the result in each instance is a case open at one end in which the eyeglass and earpiece together are enclosed. Cummins U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,682 discloses a protective case having a felt inner lining and a construction whereby the earpieces are shielded from the lenses, but the felt surface can retain sand, grit or dirt that falls into the case and the case requires significant manufacturing costs. Baratelli et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,923 describe a case formed to separate the earpieces from the eyeglass lenses by stitching or by heat sealing from any of various materials including plastics, leather, cloth or the like and can be a hard rigid case or a soft flexible case or a soft case having a rigid liner, the result being a case open at one end and which provides scant protection from sand, grit or dirt. Lorton U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,935 describes an eyeglass case that is part of a personal article receptacle and which is formed or rigid front and back sides, cushioning material being provided only on the interior surface of a flap. The flap folds and snaps onto the front side of the case to separate the earpieces from the eyeglass lenses and prevent the earpieces from getting bent, but there is scant protection from sand, grit or dirt. Yabarra U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,744 describes a rigid and complex case structure that separates the earpieces from the eyeglass lenses and prevents the earpieces from getting bent, but there is scant protection from sand, grit or dirt. Chung-Cho Huang U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0188814 describes a rigid case structure that separates the earpieces from the eyeglass lenses, but there is scant protection from sand, grit or dirt. Walker et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,846 describes a pouch that separately encase the earpieces of a pair of eyeglasses but covers only the front surfaces of the lenses, providing scant protection from sand, grit or dirt. Cassel U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,321 and Rothan U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,416 describe a visor cap that keeps eyeglass earpieces from contacting the lenses but leaves at least portions of the lenses exposed providing only limited protection.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a soft foldable case that can wrap around an object to be protected such as a pair of eyeglasses or a phone or other similarly delicate instrument, and is particularly useful and formed to wrap around a pair of eyeglasses regardless of the shape of the lenses. It is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use to safely encase the eyeglasses in a soil, cushioning material while preventing the tips of the earpieces from coming into contact with the inner surfaces of the eyeglass lenses, again regardless of the shape of the lenses. In a particular embodiment, the case is formed from a sheet of material that can substantially isolate the lenses of the eyeglasses from sand, grit or dirt that falls into the case. More particularly, the case is formed of a sheet of loop material having a dense arrangement of tiny nylon loops that interlock with a dense arrangement of tiny nylon hooks when pressed together as, for example, with opposing pieces of loop and hook material such as Velcro®. When folded to wrap around the eyeglass lenses, the only material in contact with the lenses is the loop material, which has spaces under the loops adjacent the supporting fabric for any sand, grit or dirt to remain isolated away from contact with the lens or other surfaces until it is shaken or washed out of the case. Different angles and widths at either end of the case can adapt to most eyeglass sizes, and either end can be folded over first, depending on the characteristics of the eyeglasses or other object to be protected. The lenses rest upon and are cushioned by a dense array of thousands of tiny, flexible, nylon loops. When folded around the eyeglasses, (1) any sand, grit or dirt rests below the tops of the loops, and (2) the tips of the earpieces cannot touch the lenses. Strips of opposing hook material can be placed to secure the folded portions of the case.

In a particular embodiment, the case comprises two layers, each with plain fabric on one side and the loop material on the opposite side, and which are secured together by stitching or heat sealing along their edges with the loop material sides outward. Prior to securing the layers of fabric together, a pocket can be attached to the inside of one of the layers and an opening formed in the case for access to the pocket. One or more straps containing strips of opposing hook material can secure the closure of the case and/or to provide a loop to carry or hang the case out of harm's way. A single strap can be inserted through the case with a short end extending from one edge and a longer end extending from the other edge. Each end bears a strip of opposing hook material placed so that the short end closes the case when the case is completely folded and so that the longer end can provide a finger grip Loop to carry or hang the case and to prevent an object inside from falling out from an end of the case when being carried, hung from the opposite strip, or “parked” on a surface via adhesive-backed hook material. Alternatively, short and long straps can be connected to the edges of the case by stitching or heat sealing. Prior to assembly of the case, a pocket can be attached to the inside surface of one side of the case with access to it by a slit formed through one side of the case. The pocket can be lined, e.g. with silk, and provides a convenient receptacle for a lens-cleaning cloth, cash or credit cards, or the like, while not interfering with the main protective functions of the case. The pocket can additionally serve as an auxiliary wallet.

While created to protect eyeglass lenses, the case can alternatively be used carry other objects, such as a phone, camera, calculator, Geiger counter or the like. A stick-on strip of opposing hook material can be affixed to a surface at one's bedside or in an office, or on the dashboard of a car, and the case carrying a phone can be attached to it, enabling battery charging or hands-free conversations using a wireless networking technology such as Bluetooth®.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the back side of a soft foldable case of this invention, in open, unfolded position, with the long and short ends of a strap extending from the edges of the case;

FIG. 2 is a planar view of the back side of the unfolded case;

FIG. 3 is a planar view of the front side of the unfolded case;

FIG. 4 is a right side edge view of the unfolded case as it is shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a right side edge view of the unfolded case as it is shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a bottom edge view of the unfolded case as it is shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a top edge view of the unfolded case as it is shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 shows the placement of a pair of eyeglasses face down on an upper part of the unfolded case, with its earpieces projecting upwardly;

FIG. 9 shows a top portion of the case being folded as a flap onto the eyeglass lenses and frame;

FIG. 10 shows the eyeglass earpieces folded onto the flap covering the lenses;

FIG. 11 shows a top portion of the case, including the flap, folded over to cover the earpieces;

FIG. 12 shows a bottom portion of the case folded over the top portion of the case;

FIG. 13 shows the fully folded case closed by the short end of the strap;

FIG. 14 shows the case fully folded ease with the long end of the strap secured to form a loop; and

FIG. 15 illustrates the fully folded and closed case being held by a user's hand placed through the loop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-7, the soft foldable case 10 of this invention has two layers or plies, a front layer 12, more particularly shown in FIG. 3, and a rear layer 14. Each layer 12 and 14 has plain fabric on one side is formed of loop material on the opposite side. The loop material comprises a dense arrangement of tiny nylon loops that can interlock with a dense arrangement of tiny nylon hooks when pressed together, as for example, opposing pieces of a loop and hook material such as Velcro®. The front and rear layers 12 and 14 are secured together by stitching or heat sealing along their edges with the loop material sides outward. Prior to securing the layers of fabric together, a strap 16 is placed between the opposing layers 12 and 14 to be secured therein so as to have a short strap portion 18 protrude from one side of the assembled case 10 and a long strap portion 20 protruding from the opposite side of the case 10. Referring to FIGS. 3-7, strips 22 and 24 of hook material are respectively fixed adjacent the ends of the short and long strap portions 18 and 20. Strips 26 and 28 of hook material are fixed, respectively adjacent the top and bottom edges 30 and 32 of the front layer 12 of the case 10. Also prior to securing the layers of fabric together, a pocket, shown in shadow at 34, can be attached to the inside of the front layer 12 and an opening formed in the case for access to the pocket 34, shown as a slit 36 in FIG. 3. The pocket can be lined, e.g. with silk, and provides a convenient receptacle for a lens-cleaning cloth, cash or credit cards, or the like, while not interfering with the main protective functions of the case. The pocket can additionally serve as an auxiliary wallet.

The case can have different shapes to accommodate different types of objects. Referring back to FIG. 2, a shape particularly suitable for eyeglasses is shown. The case 10 has a rectangular central section 38 and trapezoidal top and bottom sections 40 and 42, with rounded corners. The rectangular section 38 has a length in a range from 2 to 4 inches and a width in the range of 4 to 8 inches. Each trapezoidal section 40 and 42 has a length in the range of 2 to 5 inches, a base width in the range of 4 to 8 inches, and a top edge width in the range of 2 to 5 inches. The overall length is in a range from 6 to 16 inches. In a specific embodiment, the rectangular section 38 has a length of 4¾ inches and a width of 6 inches. One trapezoidal section has a height of 3½ inches, a base width of 6 inches, and a top edge width of 3¾ inches. The other trapezoidal section has a height of 2½ inches, a base width of 6 inches, and a top edge width of 3¼ inches. The overall unfolded length is 10¾ inches.

Assembly of the case about a pair of eyeglasses is shown in FIGS. 8 to 14. Referring to FIG. 8, the lenses 44 of a pair of eyeglasses, shown in shadow, are placed wherever they can fit, with the outer surface of the lenses 44 against the dense loop surface of the front 12 of the case 10, and with the eyeglass earpieces 46 extending upwardly. Referring to FIG. 9, atop portion of the case 10 is folded as a flap 48 over the eyeglass lenses 44, and secured by the strip of hook material 26, enclosing the eyeglass lenses 44 in the dense loop material. Referring to FIG. 10, the earpieces 46 are folded over and onto the surface of the folded top portion 48 of the case 10. As shown in FIG. 11, the top portion of the case, including the already folded flap 48, is folded again so that the earpieces are encased in the dense loop material, as shown at 50. As shown in FIG. 12, a bottom portion of the case 10 is folded upwardly as a flap 52 to complete the wrapping of the case 10 around the eyeglass lenses and earpieces, secured by the strip of hook material 30, enclosing the eyeglass lenses 44 in the dense loop material. As shown in FIG. 13, the short strap portion 18 is then folded over the flap 52, secured by the strip of hook material 22. Finally, the long strap portion 20 is wrapped around the case 10 onto the rear of the case 10 and secured by the strip of hook material 24 to form a loop, which as shown in FIG. 15 can accommodate the fingers of a user.

Whereas most uses for the loop component of a loop and hook material such as Velcro® (or any other loop material that has space under the loops for sand or grit to be isolated away from surfaces to be protected) is to serve as a locking mechanism for the hook portion, the present invention uses it as well for its superb cushioning properties and to isolate any sand, grit or dirt away from the loop outer surfaces. The dense loop material surrounding the case also cushions the impact of a fall when the case is dropped, particularly useful to prevent damage to sensitive instruments carried in the case such as a smart phone. The folded arrangement presented here prevent eyeglasses, or other object from falling out from an end of the case when being carried, or when hung by the loop formed by the long strap 20 and allows the case to be “parked” on a surface via adhesive-backed hook material, such as on the dashboard of a car. In that regard, the case provides a very useful way of using a phone in car equipped with Bluetooth® technology.

While a preferred form of the invention has been illustrated with sheets of material in which the entire surfaces, both front and back, have been covered with dense loop material, in alternative embodiments, the loop material can be in sections arranged so as to be provide cushioning and protection in key areas. Additionally, or alternatively, a case can be constructed where only the front of the sheet of material is formed with loop material, the opposite side containing strips of loop material placed in strategic locations to provide closures similar to the preferred embodiment. In another alternative embodiment, there are no strips of hook material on the front surface of the case, in which case the short strap 18 is used as the sole securement, or only the top or bottom strip of hook material is used, or where securement is obtained with only one or more strips of hook material attached to the loop surface of the case.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be utilized without departing from the principles and scope of the invention as such modifications may be practiced within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A soft foldable case for wrapping around an object to be protected, comprising: case material having front and rear sides and length and width dimensions greater than at least that portion of the object to be protected, the front side of the case material being formed with a dense arrangement of loop material capable of interlocking with opposing hook material, the loop material having length and width dimensions greater than at least that portion of the object to be protected, the sheet of material being capable of folding around the object; at least one strip of hook material adjacent one end of the front surface of the case material; and the rear side of the case material being formed with at least a region of loop material located to engage with said at least one strip of hook material.
 2. The case of claim 1 in which the case material has a rectangular central section and a generally trapezoidal top section, the top section having a length and width dimension greater than at least that portion of the object to be protected,
 3. The case of claim 2 in which the case material has a generally trapezoidal bottom section.
 4. The case of claim 3 having a strip of hook material adjacent the top edge of the top section and having a strip of hook material adjacent the bottom edge of the bottom section.
 5. The case of claim 1 in which the case material is formed of opposing front and rear layers of sheet material, the layers being joined together, the outer surface of each layer being formed respectively with said front and rear loop material.
 6. The case of claim 5 including a pocket secured between the opposing layers of sheet material, and an opening to the pocket through the surface of said front layer.
 7. The case of claim 1 including a strap having front and rear sides and extending from the case material, the strip formed on its front side with hook material arranged to engage said region of loop material on the rear side of the case material.
 8. The case of claim 7 in which the strap extends greater than the width of the case when the case is folded around the object to engage via its hook material to the rear including a strap having front and rear sides and extending from the case material, the strip formed on its front side with hook material arranged to engage said region of loop material on the rear side of the case material to form a carrying strap loop.
 9. The case of 5 including a strap passing between the opposing front and rear layers of sheet material to extend from opposite edges of the case, with strips of hook material affixed adjacent the outer edges of the strap, a portion of the strap extending from one edge being shorter than the portion extending from the opposite edge, the strap portions arranged so that their respective strips of hook material can engage loop material on said rear layer when the case is fully folded to respectively secure the case together and to provide a finger grip loop and to prevent the object from falling out from the end of the case.
 10. The case of claim 1 wherein the object is a pair of eyeglasses.
 11. A soft foldable eyeglass case for wrapping around a pair of eyeglasses having lenses to be protected, comprising: case material having front and rear sides and length and width dimensions greater than the respective length and width of the eyeglass lenses, opposite sides of the case material being formed entirely with dense arrangements of loop material capable of interlocking with opposing hook material, the case material being capable of folding around the object; and strips of hook material adjacent respective top and bottom ends of the front side of the case material arranged to engage loop material on the rear side if the case material when the case is folded.
 12. The case of claim 11 in which the case material has a rectangular central section and generally trapezoidal top and bottom sections, the top section having a length and width dimension greater than the respective length and width of the eyeglass lenses.
 13. The case of claim 11 in which the case material is formed of opposing front and rear layers of sheet material, the layers being joined together, the outer surface each layer being formed respectively with said front and rear loop material.
 14. The case of claim 13 including a pocket secured between the opposing layers of sheet material, and an opening to the pocket through the surface of said front layer.
 15. The case of 13 including a strap passing between the opposing front and rear layers of sheet material to extend from opposite edges of the case, with strips of hook material affixed adjacent the outer edges of the strap, a portion of the strap extending from one edge being shorter than the portion extending from the opposite edge, the strap portions arranged so that their respective strips of hook material can engage loop material on said rear layer when the case is fully folded to respectively secure the case together and to provide a finger grip loop.
 16. The case of claim 12 having overall length in a range from 6 to 16 inches, the rectangular section has a length in a range from 2 to 4 inches and a width in the range of 4 to 8 inches, and each trapezoidal section has a length in the range of 2 to 5 inches, a base width in the range of 4 to 8 inches, and a top edge width in the range of 2 to 5 inches.
 17. A method of folding a case of claim 15 comprising the steps of placing a pair of eyeglasses on the top trapezoidal section with the outer surfaces of the eyeglass lenses against the loop surface of the front layer of the case 10, and with the eyeglass earpieces extending upwardly, folding the top trapezoidal section of the case 10 as a flap over the eyeglass lenses and securing the flap by the top end strip of hook material to enclose the eyeglass lenses in the loop material, folding the earpieces over and onto the surface of the folded top trapezoidal section, folding the top portion of the case, including the already folded flap, so that the earpieces are encased in the loop material, then folding the bottom trapezoidal section of the case upwardly as a flap to complete the wrapping of the case around the eyeglass lenses and earpieces, and securing the bottom trapezoidal section with the bottom strip of hook material,
 18. The method of claim 17 including the steps of folding the short strap portion over the bottom folded trapezoidal section and wrapping the long strap portion around the case onto the rear of the case and secured it by the strip of hook material adjacent its end, to accommodate the hand or fingers of a user. 